Diseases like Dengue, Malaria, Chikungunya should not be ignored due to COVID-19: Sunil Kataria

Panaji, May 10 : While COVID-19 is spreading rapidly around the globe, there are also other health issues like Dengue and Malaria which need to be addressed. In an attempt to tackle mosquito-spread diseases, Godrej Group has urged the government to include household insecticides and repellents like coils, vaporises and Agarbatti in the essential commodity list and wants to spread awareness among consumers for the same.

In an exclusive interview to UNI, Sunil Kataria, CEO, India and SAARC, Godrej Consumer Products Limited, said," India carries a heavy burden of vector-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue and chikungunya. The rise of the COVID-19 pandemic has induced panic globally and has demanded the focus of the government and medical fraternity towards its containment.

However, as India continues to battle with this situation, there’s another issue that needs to be addressed – vector-borne diseases." In March, World Health Organization (WHO) issued an advisory urging countries to ensure the continuity of malaria services in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, he said and pointed out that as per the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme, nearly 95 per cent of India’s population lives in malaria endemic regions. "The hot and humid climate of the country is already conducive for the growth of dengue mosquitoes.

April and May are crucial months when preventive measures such as fogging, fumigation and awareness campaigns are undertaken. With coronavirus positive cases rising on a daily basis, the government and healthcare infrastructure are heavily invested to deal with it. This year, 19,980 malaria cases have already been reported upto February. However, with the ongoing pandemic, India cannot be unprepared for malaria and even dengue," he said. When asked what should be done considering the fact that its beginning of May, Mr Kataria said, "Some of the local bodies have already commenced work on monsoon and are acting on preventive solutions. This is something that needs to be replicated across the country. Apart from ensuring that the preventative measures are employed, it is crucial to create awareness and educate Indians about vector borne diseases." More (UNI)